Cater to Cowards Dentist Archives - Drake & Wallace Dentistry

Did this Dentist Mess Up Completely?

Posted on August 21, 2021 by writeradmin.

I have a problem but am not certain if I can trust my dentist at this point. I needed a tooth extraction. I was nervous about it to begin with. It took over fourteen shots for him to get me numb. How can someone miss the spot so many times? Now, it’s been several days since the procedure and this sharp ridge has shown up around the area. It is very uncomfortable to eat or drink in that area. Did he mess something up?

MaryEllis

Dear MaryEllis,

I am sorry you had such an awful appointment. That kind of experience can cause you to be nervous to see any dentist, not just the one who gave you the bad experience. Let’s start with that. I don’t think that he missed the spot continually. Instead, he probably is unaware of the connection between anxiety and numbing medication. If you are anxious going into an appointment, it can have the effect of causing your numbing medication to be ineffective. Then, when it didn’t work, your body’s anxiety amped up making it harder and harder every time to get numb.

The good news is there is a solution. Relaxing you before your appointment will bring down your anxiety and allow your numbing medication to work. Look for a dentist who offers something like nitrous oxide. Sometimes, they will advertise themselves on the internet as a “cater to cowards” dentist. It doesn’t mean you are a coward. It is a way to signal that they know how to take away your anxiety.

As to the bony ridge. This is quite common and part of the healing process. Whenever a tooth is removed, the extraction site will have a sharp edge to it. The swelling that occurs immediately after your extraction tends to hide the ridge. As the swelling recedes, this is what shows up. If it remains a problem, your dentist can either clip it or smooth it out.

I know you’ve lost some confidence in him, but in this case I’d say let him help.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Dr. Drake and Wallace.

Dentist Can’t Keep Me Numb

Posted on January 1, 2020 by writeradmin.

I’m a bit discouraged. At my last filling, my dentist had the hardest time keeping me numb during the procedure. It was excruciating. That was about a year ago. Now I have another cavity. I’m not sure I can go back. Have you seen this happen before? Is there a solution?

Misty

Dear Misty,

I have seen this and I think I know what could be going on. When someone has dental anxiety, there is a metabolic reaction which causes your metabolism to jump up. This in turn burns off the numbing medication faster than expected. In fact, some patients with extreme anxiety aren’t able to get numb at all.

One solution to this is to use nitrous oxide. It is a gas which relaxes you. This is often enough to keep the anxiety at bay and allow the numbing medicine to do its job. Many patients find this changes their relationship with their dentist going from something they avoid to making it easy to keep up with their appointments.

Saving Money with Dental Sedation

When you are able to get regular dental care, you’ll find you end up with less need for fillings and other more invasive procedures. You’ll save money in the long run because of that too.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.

Scared to Go Back to Dentist to Fix Tooth.

Posted on June 6, 2019 by writeradmin.

I will be the first to admit all of this is my fault. I have a hard time going to a dentist. That apprehension caused me to ignore a filling which fell out. I knew I should probably have it fixed, but I just didn’t want to deal with a dentist. Now the tooth feels like it is on fire and I know I’ll need something drastic. I’ve been using leftover pain meds from a previous surgery. They’re about to run out and I don’t know how to deal with this pain. Is there anything that can help a coward?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

A man grabbing his jaw in need of an emergency dentist

Dental anxiety often leads to a dental emergency

The good news is I would never call anyone who knows they have a fear yet is willing to face it a coward. The even better news, however, is that even if you were there are actually dentists who cater to cowards.

You are in a bit of a pickle because of this situation and will need to see a dentist right away. The tooth which lost its filling is infected. This is considered a dental emergency. The infection will continue to spread and can even become life-threatening. I know it seems crazy, but people still die from tooth infections, even in this day and time.

Hopefully, you can get it treated in time to save the tooth. Otherwise, you will be facing an extraction and tooth replacement. You will definitely need a root canal treatment and dental crown.

Finding a Dentist to Help with Your Anxiety

There are dentists who have tailored a part of their practice to aiding anxious patients feel comfortable in the dental chair. You can find them using several different search terms. In your place, I’d search under the term “sedation dentist”. Most dentists who use sedation will have two different levels. Though some only do one level.

The first is nitrous oxide. It’s sometimes dubbed laughing gas. It doesn’t make you laugh as much as relax you and give you a floaty feel. The second level is much stronger. Oral conscious sedation is administered by a pill. It will relax you so much that you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment, as well as stay with you throughout the day until you are lucid and steady on your feet again. This is best used for patients with seriously high levels of anxiety.

I hope this helps. This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.

Finding a Dentist Who Cares

Posted on April 5, 2019 by writeradmin.

I had a great dentist. He was personable and patient and really took to the time to listen. Today I met with the new dentist who purchased his practice. He was okay, but it wasn’t anything like my old experience. I felt rushed and as if he didn’t have the patience for my questions. For the first time in years, I felt anxious in the dental chair. That’s not the experience I’m hoping for when I go to the dentist. Is there a way to find a dentist like my old one or is this rushed model the new standard?

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

A woman giving a thumbs up in a dental chair — You can find the right dentist for your needs

What you don’t want out of a dentist is one who causes dental anxiety. You have a few choices here.

First, you could give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was having a bad day. He’s starting a practice and likely still working out his system and working out the kinks. If you go back in six months and it’s the same, you’ll know it’s his business model and can make a decision with that in mind.

Second, you could either email him or ask him to call you after hours. In the email or conversation, talk to him about what caused you anxiety in the appointment and see what he has to say.

Finally, you can look for a new dentist.

Finding a Dentist who Caters to Patients

One thing you can do is look for a dentist who enjoys working with anxious patients, not that you are one. The reason I suggest this is they are usually more patient in the dental universe.

They often call themselves “Cater to Cowards” dentists. They especially have a goal of helping people afraid of dental care to feel comfortable in the chair so they can get the regular care they need.

One word of caution. Be sure you check their reviews. Just because someone calls themselves a patient and gentle dentist, doesn’t mean they are. See what patients who’ve been there have to say about their experiences.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.

Anxiety Medicine for Dental Appointments

Posted on January 12, 2019 by writeradmin.

My doctor prescribed me medicine for anxiety. It has done a world of good for me when I have to face situations I am uncomfortable with. I haven’t been to the dentist in about ten years because of my anxiety. I think I might be able to with my medicine. Will a dentist care if I take it?

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

I’m sure you could find a dentist who would not have a problem with you taking your anxiety medication. However, they’ll need to be aware of everything you are taking ahead of time so they can be prepared with anything they may have to give you.

You should know, there are dentists who can give you an anxiety-free dental appointment with dental sedation. The benefit to this over your anxiety medication is your dentist is already prepared for the medication they use and the things he may need to use for various procedures are already compatible with it.

Finding a Dentist Who Offers Dental Sedation

The easiest way to find someone who offers this service is to do an internet search. In addition to looking under the term “sedation dentist”, you can also look under the term “cater to cowards dentist“. It doesn’t mean you’re a coward. It means that, like many other people in the country, you have dental anxiety.

Seeing as you haven’t been to the dentist in a while you are likely to need a lot of extra work. Dental sedation helps with this because most patients just sleep through their appointment. This allows the dentist to get a lot more work done in each appointment while you take a relaxing nap.

You’ll find you’ll feel better overall once your teeth are back in shape. Patients are often surprised by how much their oral health had an impact on their body’s health.

It is really good that you are being proactive about this. Too many people with dental anxiety wait until they have a dental emergency. By then, it too often ends up being too late to save their tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentist Drs. Drake and Wallace.

Dental Care During Cancer Treatment

Posted on October 8, 2018 by writeradmin.

I’m in the middle of chemotherapy. Everything in my body hurts. I know I’m supposed to make sure I go to the dentist during treatment because they say the treatment is bad for my teeth, but the idea is terrifying. I’m already hurting so much. Is there anything which could make this easier?

Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

A dentist shouldn’t make you want to hide!

You are so brave. I know how hard it is to deal with cancer treatments. The fact that you’re even trying to find a way to care for your teeth is incredible. It’s worth the effort, though. Your doctors are correct. The treatment you’re undergoing will wreak havoc on your oral health. You may even develop sores in your mouth which will make your treatment even more challenging.

For people in your situation, I always recommend finding a dentist who will cater to your situation. You’ll ideally want to have some form of dental sedation. At the beginning of your treatment, nitrous oxide and a gentle dentist will be enough. As treatment progresses, you may need a full-fledged sedation dentist.

Finding a Dentist Who Will Give Gentle Care

The first thing I’d do is an internet search using one of the following three terms:

Gentle Dentist
Sedation Dentist
Cater to Cowards Dentist

Once you’ve found a few in your area, check out their reviews on places such as Yelp! or Google Reviews to see who really lives up to what they advertise. Then, call those who are left to and let them know your situation. Make sure they offer oral conscious sedation. This will be for the times you’re in the most pain and need work. It’s a simple pill you’ll take before your appointment. Most patients will sleep through the entire procedure. The only downside is you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you until you’re lucid again.

The benefit is you can get a lot of work done without any pain whatsoever.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.